Master Class Programme

For the first time during OPEN DAYS, a Master Class is being prepared in partnership with the Regional Studies Association. It will consist of series of seminars for 77 selected PhD students/ early career researchers in the field of regional and urban policy, coming from both EU and non-EU countries. The Master Class programme will consist of two half-day sessions, including lectures and modules led by high reputation academics in the field of regional and urban policy, Young Researchers Poster Competition, as well as by EU institutions experts, and a ‘World Café’. The opening session of the Master Class (08A02 - Tuesday 8 October at 9:00 – 10:30 in Charlemagne building), outlining the rationale of cohesion policy, its main constraints and prospects for the future, will be open to the OPEN DAYS participants, whereas the other modules are restricted to the students, but they will be webstreamed. You can consult the draft programme of the Master Class.

An independent Jury nominated by the Regional Studies Association selected mid July 6 finalists of the Young Researchers Poster Competition. The finalists are Martijn Smit, Lela Tijanic, Adi Weidenfeld, Nikolas Thomopoulos, Thomas Dudley and Tejiri Aweto, studying and working in the Netherlands, Croatia, United Kingdom, Greece, Finland and Nigeria. During the OPEN DAYS Master Class on 9 October, one winner and one runner-up will be selected and awarded a prize from the hands of the Commissioner Hahn.

Early Career Poster Competition

The Master Class programme will incorporate the Early Career Poster Competition which began in 2010 and which showcases the ongoing research and results from projects undertaken by Early Career Researchers on Cohesion policy topics. Applicants are short-listed on the basis of up to 1000 word abstracts, and six finalists will be selected. Each finalist will be awarded a place on the OPEN DAYS Master Class along with two nights of accommodation and travel to and from OPEN DAYS. The overall winner will receive €750 and the runner-up will receive €250. All finalists will receive honorary membership of the Regional Studies Association for one year.